LONDON RAIDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 242, 10 September 1940, Page 8

LONDON RAIDS

NO SERIOUS DAMAGE

0 N MON DA V NIGHT

(United Press Association —Copyright.) (Britis'n Ulticial wireless.) (Rec. 1.15 p.in.) RUGB ij, Sept'. 9. An Air Ministry and Ministry . ot Home Security communique states that this evening considerable forces- of enemy aircraft again London. They were heavily engaged arid preliminary reports show that, .W-h-de; a tew penetrated north of the river; onlv minor damage was done there.;'; Scattered bombs were dropped in South London and many in the outskirts, but again no serious damage appears to have been done.' ~ '■ . While full reports are not yet ftva.ilnhle. the casualties arc not expected to be heavy. The enemy dropped bombs on a town in Kent and wrecked a number of houses, several people being killed.

Reports received up to 10 p,mkhow that 47 aircraft were shot down in to-day's engagements—4s by fighters and two by anti-aircraft guns. Thirteen of our fighters are missing, but three pilots are safe. The Dover area was shelled this evening, and the enemy s gunfire was returned. FIGHTERS IN ACTION. Between 5 and 6 p.in. on Monday, after a morning of calm, Germany launched another 350 aircraft at SouthEast England and the London area. Successive waves ol bombers and lighters crossed the coast between the North Jforeland and Hastings. Wherever they turned they were engaged by R.A.F. fighters, new squadrons taking up the attack from point to point. As the enemy crossed the Kentish coast, the British fighters were ready, and they fought them over the rolling woods of Sussex, across -the hopliclds of Kent, above the commons and downs of Surrey, and over the streets and houses of London. They pursued them back over the English Channel on the . return journey.

Anti-aircraft guns also helped harass the enemy.

The evening objective apparently included the lt.A.F’. stations in Southern England and various industrial targets, as well as London. Many ol the enemy, however, were driven back before reaching any of the objectives inside London.

The Royal Canadian Squadron of; the lt.A.F’. fought probably their greatest battle over the streets of London itself. They met the enemy on the south side of the Thames and chased them up-river from London Bridge to Hammersmith, and des troyed three Dornier bombers, three Messerschmitt 110 fighter-bombers, and four Messerschmitt 109’s.